Crayons and Crochet.... or lack of

What a week- My days off so far this week have been filled with taking care of crap that's arisen that a certain credit union has created, running to help clear out some stuff at my dad's (yes, still cleaning out after my mother's death and will be for some time) and trying to keep my own house taken care of and in shape to look at if someone wants to see. Luckily noone's wanted to see it this week- I couldn't have fit another thing in.

Which is my main gripe.... I haven't had time to crochet or make a single CRAYON for sale or for favor this week. I have plenty stacked for several batches where a local restaurant is saving their used crayons for me that would otherwise go in the trash, and someone else gave me a huge bag of crayolas that had been in a fire.... you couldn't even tell it except for some soot on the outside of the ziploc they were in! Amazing!!

So.... my Saturday off is ALL MINE.... I will be making crayons by day and crocheting in front of the TV at night. I think maybe I got 2 small rows of knitting in before I fell asleep in front of the TV the other night. Well whoever has something for me to do
Saturday can just wait!! LOL

I did find a cute pattern at cute crochet blog patterns for a clothespin bag and dress dishcloth. Don't like the pattern on the clothespin bag though... may have to come up with my own if I can get some time alone... to myself... for crocheting!!

Right now, slavery (I mean work) calls..... Later Everyone!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Happy Saturday!

Hi Everyone-

Happy Saturday! My day off although not totally enjoyable due to some things that came up and some unexpected expenses, I may have some time later to mess with my new hobby- recycling crayons! Then maybe some knitting later tonight. How's everyone- it's great to see what you all have accomplished since I last logged in and there's always new ideas and projects. My latest accomplishments are posted on Etsy: Sea Creature Crayons, pretzel crayons, and car truck and plane crayons along with a couple of others. The jewelry (vintage) hasn't sold too well so far but I'm hoping maybe.... I was going to post some pics but cant get blogger to cooperate. Check out http://etsy.com/meowcreations to see pics.

Now back to seeing if I can get some Etsy done and some other things to make $$ we badly need. Later all!!



Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Hi Everyone and More Etsy

Hi Everyone,

I'm still here just not getting much puter time lately. Got the majority of Mom's stuff cleaned out, working on my own house as it's for sale. We're getting a few showings but not tons and no offers yet. I've also been working on some projects for Etsy- Posted lots of vintage jewelry pieces and making some recycled crayons that I'm about to post. One thing I want to try is wool dryer balls- they are supposed to work great so we'll see.

Sorry so long between posts I've been wild lately trying to keep things done and keep up with it all plus hubby too. got a very early showing of the house tomorrow so I need to be up there working instead of at my dad's but with gas almost $4 a gal (avg. $3.75 here most places) it's hard to run back and forth. Hence a big part of the reason for moving- we're about 20 mi from town, 25 from the mall area, 15 from southside of town, 10 from my dad..... you get the idea. Only a cracker barrel and a few fast food places in the little town we live in and they try to roll up the streets at about 7pm. And the one little grocery store..... we won't even talk about the prices!! It'd break me to buy a loaf of bread and lunchmeat there! In short.... I WANNA MOVE ASAP. Can you tell?? LOL

Now that my rant is over gonna go see what I can get done. Thanks for following and be in touch as soon as I can. Love you guys!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

I'm still here

I'm still here- no, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth. Since I went back to work after my mom's death and trying to clean out her things with my dad and trying to get my house in shape to sell (hopefully) my time has been limited at the puter.

I have been posting a few things on Etsy- some stash items and also some vintage jewelry and other items.

Thank you to everyone for your kind comments during and after my mother's illness and death- I really appreciate them. It was nice to open the computer to all your kind words.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Just Checking In

Hi Everyone,

Just checking in real quick.... no I haven't dropped off the face of the earth, just very busy after my mom's illness and death trying to help my dad and sort through her stuff before I have to go back to work the first of the month. My hubby said "Must be nice not having to go to work."  MEN! He wasn't being ugly, you haveto know his background- he was brought up in a family that never made him a part of anything or treated him like family, so he really doesn't understand what all there is to do and be done. Nor that My dad and I are all each other has left blood family wise except my 91 year old greandmother who is barely there mentally and isn't any help. Nor does he understand what we are really going through. As I said he was mentally and emotionally abused somewhat but that is another story for another day. I do have to remember he is trying.... comments like the above are made innocently, not to be mean.

I did want to let some people know that I am still here, just havent had much puter time or time to check in for trying to go through the 3 closets worth of clothes, 150 or so pairs of shoes, probably 100 odd purses, and not to mention family records, pictures and heirlooms of my mom's. It'll take us 6 months literally. Right now I've trashed most of the stuff that we don't know what or who it is or isn't even fit to send to Goodwill, separated the rest into 3 sets, Goodwill, consignment run of the mill stuff, and consignment (a different store) fancy stuff or brand new.

OK I've got to run, thanks to everyone for checking on me, your comments and to Pam for my Stylish Blogger Award. I'll be back soon as I can.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Mom's Obituary and other things

http://www.paducahsun.com/obituaries/437559-trena-caneer

Here is the link some of you were asking for to my mom's Obituary.

You are welcome to post this, share it or do any donations in her name. Some from Newborns in Need may remember her as well.

 You would not believe the cleaning out we have to do of her things- an almost 4,000 sq ft house full. Plus the legal, financial etc. that goes with this and part of it is my responsibility now as my dad and I are the only blood kin either of us has left with the exception of my 91 year old grandmother who lives with him and isn't in mental or physical shape to help or take care of her affairs. I have taken a leave from work for a while to get things done, hopefully some of my stuff being some of it but this will have to come first.

Thank you so much to those of you wanting to do something in Mom's name- that would be great if you want to do so. We had a large turnout tonight at the visitation- I didn't know we were that popular! Plus some friends and family who came great distances, some cousins from central MO, one from past Lexington KY about 4hrs from here just so he could say hello, a friend of mine drove an hour and a half from two (or more) counties away.... it was touching so many people came to pay their respects.

Thanks so much to everyone for everything- people are literally fighting over who can do what to help around here. We still have the funeral to go through tomorrow, I will have my hands full trying to help my dad, both of us get my grandmother in there, and me trying to get Scott in there in time to be a pallbearer. Please pray for all of us.

My grandmother does understand what's going on but doesn't realize details or the severity of the situation and what it entails. So trying to deal with her is much of a chore right now. My poor hubby is almost by himself at home right now.... probably in peace and quiet. I'm staying with my dad for the time being to get some things done.

If you have a package coming from my Etsy shop, please bear with me and it will get sent as soon as possible- my items are in one place and me in another.


Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

My Mom

Dear Friends,




I needed to let you all know that my mom passed away at approx. 4pm CST Saturday afternoon. After an uphill battle, finally her heart and blood pressure crashed, only to be brought back, then crash again, then brought back one more time. They finally told us that there was no improvement overall lately and that they could keep restarting her heart but it was damaging the rest of her body and likely they couldn't keep her alive long enough to help her even if they did again. The whole family was there, plus some close friends, Daddy and I talked it over and told them to do everything they could but if they couldn't keep her going or if it dropped or crashed again to let her go. She had had more than she could stand, and about 15-20 min later the Lord took her home.



Funeral arrangements will be Visitation Wed. with funeral Thursday at Milner-Orr Funeral Home of Paducah KY. Why so long? Monday is Valentine's day; Tuesday was her birthday. Mom died at 62 years old, she would have been 63 Tuesday.



We greatly appreciate everyone's prayers and concern, and ask that you pray for our family as well as for my mother's safe passage into heaven. Also for my dad as he adjusts to her sudden loss, and me as I try to help him through it. Thank you everyone for the prayers and everything that has been offered and done. Love to you all.


Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Update on my Mom

Dear Friends,


I needed to update everyone on Mom's condition. Some of you know she was admitted to the hospital Sunday night with nausea vomiting and dehydration we attributed to her severe acid reflux disease. All was going well until Monday night, Daddy left at 9:30 and everything was OK, came home and I got off work at 10 and was staying with him until the roads cleared in my area. At 12:30 am (Tues) The hospital called and says they are sending her to CCU with Breathing difficulty. My Dad tells them this is a temporary thing that sometimes is a result of her acid Reflux. They insist this is more serious so we get down there, she is on oxygen, both of her Dr's were there and stayed til about 2 and she wasn't great but she was stable. Neither of them thought anything else was bad so they both left.

At 2:40 we were sitting with her and she was talking with us when her blood pressure suddenly went very low and heart rate began dropping off. My dad ran to the desk across the hall and told them to get in there NOW, about the time he walked up their alarm went off. Her blood pressure got down to almost nothing, all 15 of the nurses on that floor were in there for the next 4 hours working to stabilize her. By 6 am Tues, they were telling us that since neither of her bowels was working and possibly both were "dead" tissue, her blood acidity was very low and her body chemistry was way off there was no hope she'd make it through the day. They stopped just short of telling us to make funeral plans.

As she slowly improved bit by bit they were able to run a few tests and ruled out a heart attack, stroke and a blood clot. The consensus is that likely her body chemistry got so out of whack that it literally shut her body down.

As of Thursday evening at 4pm she is still critical but mostly stable. Her vitals are stable with the exception of a blood pressure episode this afternoon the Dr says is common for her condition. We are nowhere near out of the woods yet but very blessed with God's help that she is here now, 48hrs ago we were told there is no hope that she can sustain life for several reasons. If they are able to keep her stabilized enough the next several days they may try to do exploratory surgery to see if the bowels are indeed the problem and what they can do to correct it. They are not hearing any sounds and have been considered at least partially dead tissue, however they have moved several times today so hopefully something is working.

Please keep Mom and my family in your prayers, She is still critical and very sick despite her improvements since Tues morning and is not out of the woods by a long shot. Pray they will be able to keep her stable and improving long enough they can find the problem and correct it. She is responding when she can hear us and has opened her eyes a few times, though not every time we ask her. However, she is not fully awake or conscious.

I believe in Miracles, we have already had one miracle that she is still with us, we need another one to pull her through this even after she is stable, it will be a long road.
Some of you already know some of this, but some of you are finding out for the first time. Thanks everyone for your love and prayers and pray Mom can be stablilized enough to help the Dr's figure out and correct the problem. Thanks everyone so much for caring. Love you all.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Surprise!!

Surprise! Those flurries we were supposed to get today? Turned into 6" or so of SNOW!!!

Scott's truck and mine out the front door

The trucks covered in snow along with part of the yard and patio set

Harley enjoying the snow

The motel across the road from IHOP

My mom is in the hospital right now either food poisoning or her acid reflux and dehydration, so I stopped by daddy's after work last night to let the dog out and kind of check the house. When I left there at 1am last night there was drizzling rain and 38 degrees. We were supposed to get a few flurries out of it today. This is what we got.

I slid on packed snow coming out of our subdivision and turning on to the highway. I called Scott and told him even if his work didnt shut down tonight to stay there. Noone figured on this... we weren't supposed to get any accumulation and as warm as it's been I'm highly surprised it stuck, guess it was just too fast. I'm going into work since I'm already out but the minute I can go I'm outta there, gonna stay at my parents' tonight, much closer than driving back thru Marshall Co where they haven't touched the roads. I may be posting or surfing a lot tonight since I have internet access there and Mom isn't there to tie up the puter.

I've had a couple of Etsy sales this week after almost nothing for 2 months. Finally some yarn sold, and a pattern book sold. Etsy has been slow on sales last couple of months. I'm putting some recycled yarn up as I can get it photographed and posted.

OK gotta run if I'm going to work- may not get there on time with the weather but I'm sure they'll be glad to see me whatever time I get there, I bet everyone else has called in. Later all!!


Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

More snow heading our way

We're supposed to get some more snow tonight thru tomorrow morning, just 1-2" for our area or maybe even just a dusting, we'll see. Then some more supposedly Sun-Tues with super cold temps again by Tuesday. Like High of 23 or so Tuesday according to the weather.

Good luck to those of you still digging out- must be nice for things to be cancelled for a while though for some relaxation and yarn play time!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

The Storm Missed Us

Hi Everyone,

Some of you have asked if we got buried in snow here in Western KY, the answer is no, not this time. 99% of the storm missed us and went north of us- we only got a few flurries. We got plenty of cold temps though- highs in the 20's next couple of days or so. Maybe 30's tomorrow if we're lucky, will feel like a heat wave.

I feel for those of you who lost power and got buried in snow- I'd like a little myself but no blizzards or ice storms please. Although it might be nice if we got snowed in for a few days and the power stayed on.... some relaxation time I badly need.

I opened my email this morn to another Etsy sale! Great- time to get some of this stuff outta the house. Etsy has been slow lately and I've been reluctant to try to post anything on Ebay for lack of time lately. I'm considering cutting my work hours, the stress of it all has been so hard on me but then again that will mean less money. Hmm what to do..... They've been cutting everyone else just about and increasing my hours which means the same 2-3 of us are doing most of the work at night and my job is very physical, picking up everything that comes thru that register. Over and Over and Over. My arms are sore to say the least.

Gonna drop a bag at Goodwill, a box at PO then probably someone coming to get the old washer and dryer I took out. Have a great day all!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

I Owe, I Owe, So Off To Work I Go.....

Out in this yucky cold rain which will turn to ice tonight and tomorrow with a high of 28 tomorrow. Gotta work both days. No crocheting for me today or winding yarn or etsy or anything else. Gotta go be a slave and wear myself out.

Catch you all when I have some good crocheting to talk about!!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Some yarn winding tips.... aka trial and error humor

Some things I learned about yarn and recycling yarn both from my own projects and sweaters and such.

Fuzzy, boucle, mohair or even slightly felted (sweaters someone has tossed in the dryer thus disregarding the instructions) yarns are next to impossible to unravel.

Lace weight sweaters will wear you out in a very short time unless you have a winder.

Never try to unravel a sweater with stripes unless you are going for small bits of color or a magic ball. The fabric may be all one piece but the yarn isn't when you unravel it.

Knitting with lace weight yarn (or crocheting for that matter) is a pain in the ..... not to mention the hands.

When trying to unravel or wind yarn, confine the cat (or in my case cats) to one room. A DIFFERENT room.

Lock the Husband out of the house.

When he gripes about the yarn laying around, remind him of his collection of hats, t-shirts, watches, potato chip and snack bags, etc. laying around.

Now get yourself a yarn winder, a good CD or TV show, some nice yarn to be wound, and wind away!


Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Yarn Yarn and Yarn

I've got too much yarn. And this time, that isn't a good thing. My living room, back room, truck you name it are just about full. Some of it is reclaimed yarn to sell, some of it is mine and some I have reserved for charity that needs to go out. I just need a good size box.

I'm going to work today on getting some of it skeined, photographed and posted on Etsy if I can get all that done between work. I bought a travel size niddy noddy for winding skeins but not sure if thats going to do the job on some of my bigger skeins or not.

Meanwhile I'm trying to clear out my etsy shop too so if you see anything under MeowCreations you'd like please do let me know. I'm offering 10% off my entire shop until Valentine's day. Need to make room for some of this yarn! And to walk thru my house.

OK off to see if I can't get something done, not much is happening on the net last few days. Later all and keep in touch!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Finished Cocoon Pictures- As Promised!

Here's the pictures I've been promising of the two finished cocoons going to Relief Share. It almost took me longer to get pictures posted than the cocoons made since my time on the internet is limited due to work. I made both of these out of Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn worsted weight although any SOFT acrylic yarn from baby to chunky can be used as long as it comes out the right sizes and doesn't have holes in the pattern. The pattern I used is my own and listed several places including here. Although you're welcome to use this pattern for charity or personal use, please don't use it to make something to sell.

Here's the two small newborn 16" around by 16" long cocoons (8" wide by 16" long) one in light green and one in a pastel variegated color.

Here's another I had started but partially frogged to redo to size.

If you'd like to make one or more of these Relief Share needs 350 of them for their hospital and some for their crisis center.

Marla

Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet

Marla's Nursery

Gifts of Love

Snow!

We woke up this morning (and I came home last night) to about 3" of snow. It was all very pretty but most had melted off by this morning at 9am when I got up. RATS. I keep hoping for about a foot where everything will shut down for about a week. No such luck. Oh well.

I'll be back later today with the promised pics of the 2 finished baby cocoons. Stay tuned. Until then doing some work on my ETSY shop.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Another cocoon in progress

Well, two finished (One picture taken, one to go and both to be posted) and another one I frogged and redid to match the size needed in progress, yet another one just started in a pretty purple simply soft yarn. I'd love to make this a picture blog every day but my limit of time doesn't always permit like I would like.

I've gotten stuck on these cocoons lately. A newborn size requested by the hospital is 16" around by 16" long, or 8" around by 16 long. The softest of acrylic yarn is required whether worsted weight, sport or baby. Relief Share's blog has a good bit of detail as well as knitting, crochet, and sewing patterns to make these as well as sizes needed. These are used for newborns rather than receiving blankets in the hospital and at home.

Nothing going on in blogland or otherwise on the net today so off to spend my precious hour or two before work crocheting and playing with yarn! I updated some of my ETSY shop which now has a 10% off sale thru Valentine's day. Enjoy!!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Etsy Sale and Goodwill

As part of my decluttering, I am offering a 10% off Sale on everything in my Etsy shop, under the name MeowCreations- link is below. I gotta get some of this stuff outta here.

Several more things have gone into a flat rate box for Relief Share and will fit it all in best I can. Still more is going to goodwill and I have to stay out of their shop for a while- have brought more sweaters and things home than I can unravel lately. Need to post some of the yarn to Etsy.

2 baby cocoons are almost finished, just lack a few rows each. Will post pictures when they are done, I promise. Link to pattern is here. If you want to make one or more I'm sure they'd love it! These are for a 5-8lb newborn and are used instead of recieving blankets. Ok all now to see what else I can get done before work this afternoon.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Decluttering

Lord, what a mess! Between Scott and I working such long hours over the holidays and me marrying the worlds biggest pack rat and lack of free time and energy.... my house is a mess!! No, I won't show pictures. Its mostly junk that needs to be put up, go somewhere or be donated somewhere. And it's about to be.

Goodwill, charities, post office, trash can- here I come!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Recycled yarn and Etsy and pics

WHEW!! After a wild week with Scott being home with his neck hurting, I finally am getting him back to work tonight. I did take about an hour or less and listed some yarn and recycled yarn on Etsy. I much need to move some of my items on there.

Got one sweater fully unraveled, orange 100% wool and got six hanks out of it. They will be for sale after washing. Working on a pretty off white sparkle acrylic/cotton blend now.

Maybe now I can also have time to work on my charity things like baby stuff and cocoons for Relief Share. Have some other things needing mailing off too if I can just get those boxes in my truck to go to mailbox.

OK unfortunately I have to get ready to go back to work but will leave you with some pics I took, mostly of things for sale on Etsy.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Cocoon Charity Request

I have a request for the cocoons or any items you make from my blog or website, especially baby:

Please send these items first and foremost to Relief Share as they need lots of baby and charity items and the hospital there and crisis center use lots of cocoons. Lots of warm items are needed, primarily baby and children's items but adult items can be used as well. If you crochet or knit, acrylics work well for baby items.

Thanks Everyone!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Goodwill, Sweaters and New Washer and Dryer

Hi all,

I've been playing with my new washer and dryer I got hooked up today! (*Bragging*) They are super quiet, just my height, front loading and run like a dream.

Didn't get any more yarns listed on Etsy today but definitely will soon. I've been trying to pick up a few things in the house and took one sack to Goodwill where I also found 11 (Yes, count them- 11!!) sweaters with beautiful yarns for recycling. I did miss a pretty thick dark purple one that a lady grabbed before I got to the rack though. Lots of lambswool, silk blends, cotton blends, 100% cotton and a few acrylic. Some people are yarn snobs and won't bother with the acrylic but these were pretty enough that it was worth the $2-2.50 to get quite a bit of yarn out of that sweater. If noone else will use the acrylic, I will. I am by no means a yarn snob, in fact I am not crazy about wool unless it is very soft and washable and hate using cotton yarn. Acrylic is my favorite texture, and usually holds up best and is the best to work with. I am not one of these people picky about working with synthetics like acrylic- I love it. These sweaters really are nice though- should keep me busy for a long time.

And my new washer and dryer have those extra delicate and hand washables and air dry cycles on them!! I can wash things now that would otherwise have to be done by hand. My old ones still work- they are going to a lady whose house burnt on New Years Day along with quite a few things I cleaned out she can have.

OK, I'm off to supper then some unraveling time with one of my new movies I got for Christmas and didn't have time to watch til now. This unraveling thing just might catch on after all!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Etsy, Washer and Dryer and Recycling yarn

Good afternoon all-

Itenerary for the day:

Eat Breakfast, List some spare yarns on Etsy, work on that sweater I'm froggin, I have a package to mail before work today (YUCK!!- but they don't pay for staying home.) then I have to buy a blue t-shirt to go over my long sleeve because I forgot my work clothes at home before I came down. Figures. And with gas $3 a gal, I'm not wasting the gas to drive back to the house then back to Southside of town. Or the time.

Listed a few yarns on Etsy, will do more tomorrow and Fri when I get all my pics taken and as time allows.

I hope to have some recycled yarn on Etsy soon, both from sweaters and from UFO's that the yarn was lost, discontinued, pattern lost, etc. Another mission: GET SOME OF THIS CRAP OUT OF MY HOUSE!!! You can't walk thru it right now between a husband who puts stuff wherever he drops it, my stuff laying all over, Christmas stuff needing to be put up.... well you get the idea.

On top of that, I have a new washer and dryer coming tomorrow so I gotta clear them a path and get stuff off the old ones. Something I'd been wanting for a long time and with Christmas $$ we finally made it happen. Now to learn to use all the bells and whistles...

OK a froggin' I go..... giving hands a rest from crocheting for a bit by unraveling- it's actually fun! Later all!

Have a great week!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Newborn Cocoon pic

Thanks to Mimi for testing this pattern and sending me her pic! Here's the picture of the Newborn cocoon suitable for going home from the hospital. It should fit a 5-7lb baby.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Froggin and Thanks Mimi!

Hi Everyone,

Hope your new year is going great. Mine would be except for that darn thing called work that keeps interrupting my crocheting and yarn play time. What am I up to now? Recycling yarn. Yeah, you heard me. Recycling yarn from my projects I now pick up and say "What the heck was I thinking??", Thrift store sweaters, UFO's that have long since lost the pattern or yarn that was to go in them was discontinued or lost. While most people hate Frogging, I've been doing plenty of "Rip-it-ing".

Also a huge thanks to Mimi for testing my Preemie/Small Newborn cocoon pattern. The picture is up on her site and it's adorable and according to her came out exactly to size.

OK I'm going back to that lovely teal brushed acrylic sweater I'm froggin for the yarn!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Happy 2011 Everyone!

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Just a post to say may your 2011 be filled with God's blessings, good health and happiness! Oh, and lots of yarn!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Any Testers?

Hi all,

since I am short on time at the moment, can anyone test the cocoon pattern for small newborns on my previous post and let me know how the measurements come out? I revamped my larger one I was working on and the measurements came out right but haven't worked the whole thing start to finish. Let me know if you have to use a G hook instead- I crochet sort of tight.

If anyone has time to do this, I'd appreciate it and would appreciate a picture even more- your credit of course.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Preemie/Small Newborn Baby Cocoon Pattern

In reading Relief Share and other charity blogs, I've found that the pattern I have made for a cocoon is more for a 8-10lb baby or 0-3mo size. So I've sort of amended my pattern for a large preemie or smaller newborn as follows:

Materials:

SOFT worsted weight yarn or double baby yarn,
6oz worsted for 5-6lb
size H hook.
Note: Do NOT turn after Joining. Ch 2 at first of round counts as a DC. If you have counted correctly your 2dc space with be made in the first stitch of the 2dc stitch on the row below.

Chain 3

1: Dc 11 times in the end chain. Join with a slip stitch. (12 Dc made)

2: Ch 2, DC in same space, 2dc in each stitch around. Join. (24 DC made)

3: Ch 2, Dc in same stitch, (Dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch) around. Join. (36 Dc made)

4: Ch 2, Dc in same stitch, (Dc in next 2 stitches, 2dc in next stitch) around. Join. (48 Dc made).

5: Ch 2, Dc in same stitch, (Dc in next 3 stitches, 2dc in next stitch) around. Join. (60 Dc made)

6: Ch 2, Dc in NEXT stitch and each stitch around. Join.

For 5-6lb size:
 Repeat Row 6, until cocoon reaches about 17-18″

Add Edging if desired.

You may adjust pattern if needed or hook size so that cocoon measures 8" across (16" around) by 18" long.


Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

The Perfect Template

Yarn and a kitten- how perfect for me! I was looking for something different after Christmas for my template and didn't like much else I found... was looking through the animal section and BAM! This one hit me like a ton of bricks. It just had to be. A kitten curled up in a ball of yarn.... how cute and appropriate.

For those of you who don't know, I have 5 felines myself. I keep most of my yarn put up in the back room so there isn't a ton of cat hair, claws, etc. in it and they do try to sneak in from time to time when I'm going in and out. Very seldom do they make it and usually get caught and removed immediately. "But MOOMMMMM, you go in there- why can't I go with you???"

I do have a new toy I got for Christmas if I can just find the time to use it.... a new digital camera! Right now there are no pics of the cats, yarn room, projects, etc. mainly for lack of time and the fact the house is a mess you don't want to see. I'll get some cleaning up done once hubby goes back to work from vacation (or supposed to be) this week. Off 2 days and he already is talking about going back. Geez. MEN.

OK I'm off on my day off to do a little surfing, mail an etsy package, and some crochet and maybe a nap. Not necessarily in that order. Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Etsy sale and Christmas wishes

Hey what a great way to open my email! To an Etsy sale of $20.00! Cool considering most of my stuff listed on there is like $5-10. I'll try to get it sent out Thursday but if not will have to be after Christmas. It was 2 skeins of Epais yarn from Hobby Lobby that has been taking up much room ever since I bought it then thought, "I'm not sure I like the project I was going to do with it after all". Merry Christmas to someone!

In fact, Merry Christmas to you all. I'll try to take some pics of works in progress tomorrow if time allows or as soon as time allows. I know I have a new digital camera coming for Christmas- hopefully it will show colors better than my old cheap one. Even though our Christmas will be small this year it should be nice- just close family and maybe a couple of neighbors who may come over.

Nice to hear from everyone from Pammy, Alice and Raymond of Crochet with Raymond (We love you too Raymond!) and everyone I've missed and last but most especially great to hear from my good friend MIMI!! May your family be blessed with good health and a wonderful Christmas and I can't wait to see your grandson in his orange SCARP!!

I'll be back before the big day but hope everyone is having a lovely Christmas season. Always pray for those who are having trouble this Christmas. (Notice I didn't say HOLIDAY!!)

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Almost Ready for Christmas

Well, the shopping is done (except for one last minute thing and the mashed potatoes and rolls for Christmas dinner) and the last gifts will be wrapped today. Depending on when my Vet is in the office, a poinsetta and bottle of wine will be delivered to him. One short trip to post office and Wal-mart this morning. Of course there's no tree at my house this year- we've both worked too much to get it out much less decorate it. There are a few decorations spread about but not much this year for lack of time in our busy schedules.

Seems our family dinner had dwindled down to just 5 of us as the rest of the family had other family to eat with then my aunt from Nashville decided she would be able to come in Christmas day this year as she'd usually had to work. A couple of Neighbors who just lost their husband and father will be invited, not sure if they'll come but they'll be asked anyway.

Seems blogland is dead this morning- everyone must be out doing Christmassy things. I'm trying a new experiment in my spare time- using my knitting loom and double yarn and going to see how a cocoon comes out that way. Will let you know how that comes out.

Scott has been on Vacation last week, has to work 3 days this week then off til the New Year. He sure deserves a rest. He doesnt think he is getting much for Christmas but he has plenty of surprises coming. A couple things he wanted I told him we couldn't afford then some other things he forgot about.

Well, I'm off to wrap and do last minute or so things- hope everyone has a great day getting ready for Christmas!



Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Well, I asked for it!

Seems like I got my wish- was wishing it'd come a good snow so I wouldn't have to work! We've got a couple inches so far and it's beautiful though messy driving. Here's outside my dad's house, it's a mess but very pretty.

Hope Everyone is staying warm. Only one problem- I forgot my crocheting so will have to settle for whatever I have here to work on.


Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Rain and Ribbit!

OK So I'm being silly.

It's about 40 something here and raining. Hard. Nasty- I'd rather have the cold temps, snow, anything but a nasty cold rain. It'll probably freeze tonight making the roads slick and I have to work late. And since they mentioned snow/ice, people will be crazier. Great. Why can't work be crochet by a warm fire? OK enough- I sound like my mother. I really WOULD rather be crocheting and getting some of this yarn that is all over the place worked out. I was going by Hobby Lobby today but between the nasty weather and the fact I have too much yarn (Is that possible??) I didn't.

In the works in crochet? 2 baby cocoons, a loom knit hat and other various projects a couple of which may get frogged. The hat got frogged that I was crocheting and turned into a baby cocoon starter. (That's why the ribbit- the frogging.)  I like those lately although I wouldnt use one myself, a lot of the charities and hospitals are calling for them. Sometimes I like my patterns and making them up better than I would like the product myself if someone gave it to me.

Off to try to crochet a bit before work maybe. Please remember the Heisers in your prayers, my parents' neighbor Tony died this morning. Ginger and Cracker Jack came from them, and they still have their sister, Nome. Hope everyone is getting over bugs and having better weather than us. I asked for a bunch of SNOW you stupid mother nature- NOT RAIN!! GET IT RIGHT!!! LOL

Now someone go crochet something I would since I am strapped for time. LOL Later all!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

A Christmas Miracle

Hi Everyone,

No, before you skip over this, this is not one of those pass-along Christmas stories that everyone seems to come up with, although you are welcome to share it. This actually happened to one of my regular customers I see nearly every day. I believe I mentioned a while back that Mrs. Vasseur, a dear lady was ill, never woke up after heart surgery and we learned she had passed away. We kept looking for her name in the paper for funeral arrangements but never saw it. I was quite upset, we saw these people every day literally in the store. He would buy a bag of candy, walk around and talk to and hand out candy to all the cashiers, the service desk, the fitting room, any associate he could find while she rode a cart through the store and did the shopping. They are more than customers- they are friends to the whole store.

Thursday I saw Mr. Vasseur in the store while I was shopping. I went up and hugged him and said "I heard you lost Mrs. Vasseur."  He had tears in his eyes and replied "I almost did". I stared at him, puzzled. "What do you mean almost? I was told she passed away?" His Response- "SHE DID." He went on to describe that she died shortly after surgery and was placed on life support at the family's request until they were certain there was no hope. He went on, "She laid in that ICU for 16 days on life support, no sign of life when they would turn it off for a minute or two, and finally on the 15th day they told us we needed to make a decision whether to leave her on it possibly forever or turn it off. We decided to turn it off the next day. The next morning I made the call from the waiting room to the funeral home to come in that afternoon and make arrangements. As soon as I hung up the phone, the nurse came in 'Mr. Vasseur, I need to see you.' and I just asked point blank, 'Is she gone?' The nurse looked at me in awe and replied 'NO- SHE'S AWAKE'. That was a week ago and she is now at home in the recliner with a nurse with her on the road to recovery from her surgery. She'll likely be back in the store before Christmas. I just got all I could ask for for Christmas."

I just hugged him and cried and replied "You know what Mr. Vasseur? I think I did too!"

Merry Christmas Everyone- and whether you believe or not, God is with you.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Blogging among other things

Hi all,
 
a nice day off hopefully I can finish Christmas shopping today. Not much left to get done, just a couple little things and picking up a weather station of my dad's for Christmas. It's the only thing I can think of he hasn't got or already bought that he'd enjoy.

I've heard several of you talk about your blogs being boring, or not having much crochet to talk about. Of course I Enjoy reading the crochet aspect but I enjoy hearing about everyone's personal lives and other crafts too. The only blogs I get bored with? The ones that show a finished object and don't share any details about it or share any patterns or personals. Just a picture with a caption. Now that's boring. If you guys just pop in now and then to say hi everyone, I like reading that too and knowing what everyone else is going thru. Noone's life is perfect but everyone's is interesting.

Those of you who don't want to blog anymore, good luck, but I enjoy your blogs or I would not read them. Please don't think yourselves boring because not every post is crochet. Or knitting or whatever your craft is. We're all friends so please do drop in here and there to say hello and let us know.

I gotta run so bye for now.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Hat to match baby cocoon and freezing here

Brrrrr!! How many of you are freezing your tails off the last few days?? Good staying inside crocheting weather which I can't really do. Work calls today for a while anyway and still stuff to be done. Christmas shopping is almost done with the last being done this weekend after Scott and I both get paid. Just got to pick up my dad's, a couple small things and the baby bathtub for the baby I was talking about and get his stuff to Walmart.

Didn't get much done last night, went to bed early sleepy and ears bothering me... probably sinuses. I'll really be glad when Scott gets a break or off straight nights one or the other so I can at least spend some time with him. I rarely get to see him.

One thing I almost have done (but don't have a picture of either yet) is a baby hat, beanie style to match the baby cocoon I made up the pattern for. I have tons of yarn, just not enough time. This thing called work is for the birds- it doesn't involve crochet!! LOL Oh well, it is slow out this morning so I'm hoping work will be a little slower- they've about killed me the last couple weeks.

Gotta go time and things to do slipping up on me! Hope everyone has a great day, its dead so far in blogland today. Hope everyone is feeling better!!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Brrrrr.......

Are the rest of you freezing too? We woke up to a frigid 16 degrees this morning. No snow or anything but we're freezing our butts off around here. Would be a good day to stay in and crochet on my day off except I have to run a couple errands and I have a lady doing some work at the house while Scott's asleep so I have to go back and pay her. After dropping off some fleece pajama pants to be cut off and hemmed for my short legs, maybe I'll get some time to myself to crochet. Lord knows I need it!

Hope everyone is staying warm and getting over their bugs! Hoping to come back to some more postings in blogland this afternoon! Take care all!!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Grrr stupid internet.... and more work

Hi all,

with a whirlwind work schedule this week/weekend and internet all over town acting crazy because of unexplained power/phone outages here and there I'm way behind on blogs. Some will load and some won't. Stupid Internet. Haven't even had time to crochet last few days and I hate that.

Hope everyone under weather is feeling better and glad to see everyone back on line especially MIMI!

Have a great day everyone and consider yourself lucky if it's snowing- I'd kill for a foot of snow right now to not have to do ANYTHING but sit and crochet and relax.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Gathering Newborn Boy Items

I'm in the process of gathering Newborn items for a little boy I "adopted" from an Angel Tree this year. Apparently he's a newborn and his mom's main wish for him are blankets (That I can definitely do!) and a baby bathtub. Gonna see what else I can gather up. So far I have an afghan, a teether, a bunny, a baby's first Christmas ornament for a boy and a bib. The rest I'll have to make or buy but get this.... they only put the trees out yesterday- they want the items back by Dec. 11th!! Geez.

In my quest for boy items, I went to raid my stash only to find that most of the things I had..... were GIRL items/colors. I definitely need to make and gather some boy things. I've either handed them all out or donated them or found way too much girl stuff/patterns.

Better get crackin' on some boy things or find some cheap one of the two.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Newborn Cocoon and Hat Pattern in crochet

I finally got a chance to sit down and type out the Newborn Cocoon pattern I came up with. The one I made is at home in a box to be donated so no pic yet.... if you make one of these please do let me know- I'd love to post a pic, with your permission and credit of course! Please note these are American crochet terms so please adjust accordingly if you're from somewhere that uses English terms.

Materials:

SOFT worsted weight yarn or double baby yarn,
6oz for 5-6lb or about 7oz for 7-10lb sizes and size H hook.

Note: Do NOT turn after Joining. Ch 2 at first of round counts as a DC. If you have counted correctly your 2dc space with be made in the first stitch of the 2dc stitch on the row below.

For all sizes:
Chain 3

1: Dc 11 times in the end chain. Join with a slip stitch. (12 Dc made)
2: Ch 2, DC in same space, 2dc in each stitch around. Join. (24 DC made)
3: Ch 2, Dc in same stitch, (Dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch) around. Join. (36 Dc made)

4: Ch 2, Dc in same stitch, (Dc in next 2 stitches, 2dc in next stitch) around. Join. (48 Dc made).

5: Ch 2, Dc in same stitch, (Dc in next 3 stitches, 2dc in next stitch) around. Join. (60 Dc made)

6: Ch 2, Dc in same stitch, (Dc in next 4 stitches, 2dc in next stitch) around. Join. (72 Dc made)

7: Ch 2, Dc in same stitch, Dc in each stitch around. Join.

8: Ch 2, Dc in NEXT stitch and each stitch around. Join.

For 5-6lb size:

Rows 9-24: Repeat Row 8, for 24 rows or until cocoon reaches about 14".

For 7-10lb size:

Rows 9-28: Repeat Row 8 for 28 rows or until cocoon reaches about 18".

For babies a little larger or for a 0-3mos size, you may use a size I hook with worsted weight (SOFT please!) yarn and continue cocoon until it reaches 24" or desired size.

Now, finish off or for girls you may add a shell or picot edging. I don't for boys but that is up to you. For Boys you may add a few rows to be turned down at the top, or simply stop at row 28 or so.

Hope you enjoy! I'd love to see what you make, esp if you get creative and use up partial skeins or multi colors. Please make at least one for charity.






Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Of Cats, Crochet, and patterns

Morning Everyone,

now that I have a couple days off I'm going to see if I can't get a little crocheting done, some patterns posted, and a little relaxing. Trying to get out the door this morning around a grouchy husband and 5 mischevious cats was like pulling teeth. Well, 4 mischevious cats anyway.

Poor Angel is 8 years old, has bladder and kidney probs and is probably on her last legs. Everytime I think she isnt going to live much longer, she perks back up and seems to be fine, then gets in a slump again. As long as she can go eat, drink and get to her litter box I guess she's hanging in there. She still comes to see me when she's out then goes back under her table by the heat vent. The rest of them are a 3-ring circus by them selves. Harley loves socks and drags them out all over- Shadow's a lap boy and getting fat, the other two are running around like banshees..... it's crazy but I love it.

I've not had time to work much on patterns lately but did manage to finish one small newborn or large preemie size cocoon I'll post my pattern for before I go back to work if I can get to the puter later. Please 'scuse my typing- the laptop doesnt want to cooperate.

The crocodile stitch pattern is still being worked out, bout got it but not really totally figured out or perfected yet. Soon as I do I'll share my interpretation.... not like these stingy designers who won't share their patterns. Hmmph! I've worked out somewhat of a triangle with it but I'm not sure I like it- a little too tight. Not sure if it's the yarn or the hook or me or what.... may try a little different and see if it works.

OK since it's getting colder by the minute here (39 and falling) I'm going to go somewhere and curl up warm with my crochet hook. Hope everyone is having a great day! Thanks all for sharing your patterns!





Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Happy Black Friday and Late Happy Thanksgiving

Hi all! Happy Black Friday and hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. Me, yesterday was a whirlwind, not a moment to pick up a stitch of crochet- got up at 9, dinner by 11, or shall we say at dinner- didnt eat til about 12, to work by 1, stayed over at work until almost 12 midnight, shopped at midnight, got home at about 2am, collapsed..... LOL But the overtime will be worth it.

Have to work again today from 3-midnight so this may be the only chance I get to post. Got the baby cocoon finished- working on a hat to go with it. Maybe today I'll have a little time to try to finish it.

I'm offering the 10% discount on my etsy shop until Monday at midnight (actually Tuesday) since Monday is cyber Monday the biggest online shopping day of the year.

No show and tells lately- sorry bout that but gotta have the TIME to finish something to show. I hate this having to be at work at 1 and 2 so it's a mad dash to get up, eat and run errand or two then dash to work, no breaks or breathers or nonstop.

So to make up for it I've bought a few things to donate to charity mostly for babies lately. If you don't have time to make extas, please do the same. Someone badly needs it.

Well off to try to get something done before I have to be at work- if you're out there shopping have fun and be careful!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Cocoon pattern and pic coming soon

Hi all,

I mentioned I'm having a Thanksgiving sale on my Etsy shop, one thing that will go on there (maybe not before Thanksgiving) is my pattern I came up with for a newborn cocoon and working on the hat pattern now. Soon as I finish the hat pattern it will be put into a MS Word file and up on my Etsy shop.

hehe you'll have to wait til then for pics.

Rain rain today and off to work early (for me that is, I'm used to working late). Nasty weather today- muich better for staying inside and crocheting. But no such luck- full schedule all week at work. Hardly even time to crochet. Have a great Thanksgiving all!!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

10% off in my Etsy shop for Thanksgiving & Black Friday

My blog readers save 10% Thursday and Friday on all purchases in my ETSY shop. Just enter coupon code MEOWCREATIONSSAVE10 at checkout. Hope you all find something you like!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Thanksgiving and patterns coming

Whew- what a week! I've been working so hard I've rarely had time to crochet or anything else. I'm off today and I'm gonna whip the first one that says "Let's go to Wal-mart"! I've got a full week next week just barely time Thanksgiving to eat dinner and get to work.

What little time I've had to crochet, I've been making up a pattern for a baby cocoon in crochet, most of which will be donated to Newborns in Need and Relief Share but I may put the pattern up on Etsy, we'll see. I've also got a couple of other ideas to turn into patterns but we'll see how time allows.

As for crochet I wish I could take it to work to work on during breaks and lunch, but I get nothing done. It has nothing to do with being ashamed of crocheting (far from it) or anything like that but usually when I take my crochet out in public unless it's to Hobby Lobby, Michaels, the yarn shop etc. here people have a million questions. "What are you doing? What are you making? Is that knit or crochet? I knew someone who did that once.... "  That sort of thing which I love talking to them but I can't get any crocheting done.

I'm off to actually crochet for a bit and relax a little, maybe watch some news and catch up on what I've missed. Have a great day all!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Rain Rain Go Away

YUCK! I'm glad some of you are enjoying wonderful weather today- we have a COLD rain here.... it's about 40 degrees and WET all over. Perfect weather for staying inside which I can't do :0(

After I finish my coffee and browsing (I'm at IHOP as usual) it's off to Hobby Lobby then to the post office- I have an ETSY sale or two to mail and to re-mail a check the stupid post office either is very late on or has lost. Staerting to hate them but they are cheaper in most cases than UPS.

Please excuse the bad typing, my laptop isn't cooperating either. I spent part of my birthday $$ last night- got Reba McEntire's new CD and A CHRISTMAS CAROL in Blu-ray and bluray 3-d. We'll see if that 3d works or not- i've been told yea and nay. should be good either way.

THEN to work on my latest creation- one of these baby coccoons everyone is oohing and aahing over. I don't like them and wouldn't use one but apparently someone does. Seems to me like it'd be a pain to get on and off the baby, and would be very messy with a diaper mishap while the baby was inside, or if the baby spits up (sometimjes ALL OVER the place) and you have to get it off quick. BUT some of the charities are calling for them and they are all over ETSY so I'm going to try it.

Taking a bit of a break from that triangle crocodile stitch pattern I'm working on- almost got it but still working on where to put the increases. I don't know if it's similar to the pattern out there as i haven't read it but this one regardless will be my own creation from looking at a picture. Not bad if I do say so myself.

Have fun everyone and stay warm and dry wherever you are! Crochet the day away!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Crocodile stitch

Well, I've just about done it.... You know that crocodile stitch I was drooling over? The shawl and scarf I couldnt find free patterns for anywhere? I've pretty much figured out how to replicate the stitch and still working on perfecting the increases and decreases. It's still pretty darn thick on account of the layered shells though. Will keep you posted, determined to figure out my own pattern and create my own shawl or scarf. When I do I'll post it here.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Crocodile stitch pattern

I've got a stitch that is driving me nuts... the Alligator or crocodile stitch. There are pretty patterns on ETSY using this stitch, but I'm determined to find out how to do this stitch and make my own pattern(s). So far I've only found a square tutorial but I think it's enough that I can figure out how to make the "scales" then make up what I want.

Anyone heard of this? I'll post what I find out here if it's anything legible.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

I'm Back! and Pet Peeve

I'm back!! decided to post a few more thoughts. I've a major pet peeve- especially lately.... Patterns and creations that look like a 4 year old did them. Now that's fine if it was made by a preschooler.... but I'm seeing tons of patterns out there and creations on etsy and on blogs that are so crappy I'd be ashamed to put my name on them. They look like thy were done in Preschool. *off my soap box*

They do have some wonderful creations however both in blogs and on Etsy. Nancy's Crochet (I forget her blog name at the moment) is always very nice as is Pammy Sue's of Scottys Place and Alice of Crochet with Raymond. And several others I can't think of so don't feel hurt if your name wasn't mentioned.

Knitting is catching on but there's still tons of crochet out there that's worth taking a peek at.

Gonna have to run- battery is about gone in my laptop, gotta go plug in somewhere. Later guys!!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Another Etsy sale and I'm beat

How is Everyone this Monday morning? I'm totally beat. People have been crazy at work with the first of the month shopping, Thanksgiving shopping already started and Christmas shopping already. Yes, people are shopping for Christmas already. Of course us cashiers pick up EVERYTHING that comes thru that line- one after the other after the other after the other, and when it's non stop for 6-8 hours.... my arms can hardly move to type much less crochet. I need a vacation!! Can hardly get around work to pick up prescriptions, use computer, crochet or anything else. This is the first time really I've had to sit down in the last week or so... I was off Wed. but didn't feel like getting anything done.

On the upside I did have another etsy sale yesterday. Have to get the last two shipped today. Another $4.25 in my pocket for a set of crochet hooks. It's finally paying off a little bit. If I could just sell some of my crochet stuff instead of supplies it'd be great. I started to grab some patterns to list today as I went out the door (I hardly stay at home and do anything during the day) but my hands were full and like I said I'm so wiped out I can hardly remember my own name.

Still working on those queen anne scarves and anything else i CAN oops sorry think of now that I have a few minutes.

Later all!!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

A Little Visitor

The other morning I was getting ready to go for the morning and usually open the front door for the cats to look out when I hear Harley growling at something. He's sitting looking out the glass door hunched down with his ears laid back and I peeked out the door to see what he was watching.....

Apparently we've been having a little visitor on the porch and Harley isn't too pleased about it.

We're used to seeing possum, coons, etc at night but it's been a while since we've had any birds or squirrels since we really haven't had time last couple of years or so to feed them. Just thought this was cute!


Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Photos to add- Queen Anne, Etsy

Now that I have my camera and chip accessible, here's the photos I couldn't post earlier.

Queen Anne's Lace Scarf I finished last night- Now in my Etsy shop for sale

Some items I have for sale on Etsy

Interweave Crochet Accessories Special Edition magazine



Light green dishcloths




Christmas Hotpads




Crochet fingerless gloves w/flower




Holiday socks Ladies' Size 9-11


Now to start another Queen Anne's scarf for a gift if my hands will allow it. I'm sore all over from having to pick up stuff and the first of the month people are shop, shop, shopping. Dreading having to go in tonight and all day tomorrow as people will be wall to wall. And customers have been really hateful last week or so too. Oh well, there's bills to be paid, so off to work I go. Sure wish work was crocheting and internet LOL.

By the way, the kitties say MEOW! to everyone!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Working like a dog and shipping

Hi Everyone,

Right now I feel like I'm working like a dog.... having to go in to work somewhere around 1-10 or 2-11 or some odd shift nearly every day not leaving much time to get anything else done. So pardon if the crochet department and Etsy and blogging are a bit slow. Not that I'm not grateful for the hours, I just need some ME time where I'm not too worn out to do anything I enjoy.

I'm getting a couple of Etsy orders ready to ship, got one scarf finished but lack of time and too tired right now to post pictures and get them edited. Will come soon hopefully. Still got a few charity projects going in the back ground but no tah-da yet.

Here's a few of the things I've posted on Etsy lately:

Christmas/valentine fur edged socks
Christmas potholders
Interweave Crochet accessories magazine
Crochet fingerless gloves w/flower

and I have several more. Take a look if interested.

For now I gotta go by the insurance office and take care of a (late) bill that's late because they didn't send me the  invoice, and I got the late notice the day before it was due (tomorrow) when it said notice sent Oct. 19th. Hmmph Our mail isn't that slow. Gotta run all- chat later.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Wow- 3 in one day!

Another two etsy sales... yarn and a pattern book! From no sales to three in one day is pretty exciting. Now I need to package those up to be sent to the buyers. I'm not exactly rich though LOL gonna have to sell several more items to see a difference in the profit. Some of them I'm just glad to get out of the house. Crochet and supplies don't seem to sell well around here... and when it does noone wants to give anything for it.... maybe 50 cents for a potholder or a couple dollars for an afghan. Heck you can't even buy the yarn for that!

Well, off to shrimp for supper so I have to go see if I can help my dad- he's the cook tonight. Later all!! Nice to hear from everyone!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

My first Etsy sale

What a surprise! I opened my email this morning to my first ETSY sale and payment sitting in my mailbox! I sold a set of Crystalites crochet hooks, one less thing laying around my house and a few more dollars in my pocket (after shipment of course).

Nice way to start the morning- It's rainy and nasty here this morning, about 45 degrees. Yuck. On my day off too. At least I don't have to go in to work today and can get some crocheting done. And a little relaxation I hope.

Not too many of you out blogging today- hope everyone is doing well. Have a great day everyone!!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

I'm ready for Christmas!

Well, Halloween is over and time for me to be working on Christmasy things.... so here's my new template for my blog. Now to work on a few gifts!! Happy November Everyone!! Now if I can just get my house decorated before Christmas.... that's hard to do without a hubby around who's working constantly lately. Wish me luck! Go crochet something!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love